Mazda CX-5 Kuro Edition
Discussion
For the past 5 years the Bishop family has been ably transported by our faithful Mazda CX-7. (Thread here: https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=16... ). We've absolutely loved the car and had pretty much decided to keep it until it died. However, earlier this year my feet started to itch and I also began to fear potential large bills in the not too distant future. Following discussions with Mrs Bishop we agreed we'd shop around some dealerships and weigh up our options for trade in against a 3-4 year old CX-5 or 6 estate. A weekend in June was set aside for this, so naturally 3 weeks beforehand the CX-7 developed the dreaded Adblue fault and went into limp mode. 
A saga ensued but to cut a (very) long story short it actually worked out cheaper for us to go brand new due to Mazda's deposit contributions and also an additional contribution for the fact that we were trading in another, albeit rather broken, Mazda against this one. So, June 21st saw us driving off in our first ever brand new car, a CX-5 Kuro edition in Mazda's signature Soul Crystal Red.
The Kuro is a limited edition with 750 examples to be sold in the UK (this makes it sound rather grander than it is). It basically gives some extra toys/features over and above the entry level spec including an electric tail gate, gloss black (19") wheels and mirror caps, leather/suede interior with red stitching, heated front seats and electric driver's seat. The Soul Red paint, normally an £800 extra, is also included in the price or you can have the polymetal grey if you prefer.
Being the third Mazda we've owned it's all very familiar although the 165hp 2.0 petrol engine in this car is quite a change from the buckets of torque offered by the 2.2 turbo diesel in the CX-7. I have to say I miss that a little on some of the local hills but don't really agree with the reviews that say the CX-5 is underpowered; you do, however, have to get down the gearbox a little to get the best out of it.
So far we've clocked up about 2500 miles in it which included a trip from here in Cumbria down to Essex. It's very comfortable, incredibly smooth on the road and pretty quiet. It handles nicely for what it is and is engaging to drive down the local country roads. This is the first car I've driven with radar cruise control and that's an absolute boon, especially in 50mph roadworks etc - just stick it behind a lorry and let the car get on with it.
The only feature of the car we can't get on with is the lane assist which I find to be a bit too intrusive - it's OK on the motorway but most of the time it's turned off. Unfortunately turning it off produces an orange warning light on the dashboard which annoys me in a way that will require no explanation to readers of this forum
The black accents really set the car off and even though it's a family bus I do find myself having the customary look back at it when walking away from it. The red paint (when it's clean) gives off a weird holographic effect that turns the pavement red:
Sadly it's already received a very minor ding on the rear quarter after we foolishly left it in the tiny car park of a soft play centre... Won't be doing that again!
Fingers crossed it serves us as well as its predecessor, which is still sadly missed.
A saga ensued but to cut a (very) long story short it actually worked out cheaper for us to go brand new due to Mazda's deposit contributions and also an additional contribution for the fact that we were trading in another, albeit rather broken, Mazda against this one. So, June 21st saw us driving off in our first ever brand new car, a CX-5 Kuro edition in Mazda's signature Soul Crystal Red.
The Kuro is a limited edition with 750 examples to be sold in the UK (this makes it sound rather grander than it is). It basically gives some extra toys/features over and above the entry level spec including an electric tail gate, gloss black (19") wheels and mirror caps, leather/suede interior with red stitching, heated front seats and electric driver's seat. The Soul Red paint, normally an £800 extra, is also included in the price or you can have the polymetal grey if you prefer.
Being the third Mazda we've owned it's all very familiar although the 165hp 2.0 petrol engine in this car is quite a change from the buckets of torque offered by the 2.2 turbo diesel in the CX-7. I have to say I miss that a little on some of the local hills but don't really agree with the reviews that say the CX-5 is underpowered; you do, however, have to get down the gearbox a little to get the best out of it.
So far we've clocked up about 2500 miles in it which included a trip from here in Cumbria down to Essex. It's very comfortable, incredibly smooth on the road and pretty quiet. It handles nicely for what it is and is engaging to drive down the local country roads. This is the first car I've driven with radar cruise control and that's an absolute boon, especially in 50mph roadworks etc - just stick it behind a lorry and let the car get on with it.
The only feature of the car we can't get on with is the lane assist which I find to be a bit too intrusive - it's OK on the motorway but most of the time it's turned off. Unfortunately turning it off produces an orange warning light on the dashboard which annoys me in a way that will require no explanation to readers of this forum
The black accents really set the car off and even though it's a family bus I do find myself having the customary look back at it when walking away from it. The red paint (when it's clean) gives off a weird holographic effect that turns the pavement red:
Sadly it's already received a very minor ding on the rear quarter after we foolishly left it in the tiny car park of a soft play centre... Won't be doing that again!
Fingers crossed it serves us as well as its predecessor, which is still sadly missed.
my fav Mazda colour by miles!Thanks all - will have a play about with the app and adjust the sensitivity of the lane assist. It's a nuisance on country roads when cutting corners etc but more concerning was a nervy moment when I moved out to pass a cyclist and it tried to correct me back into the lane!
How did you get on with the CX-30 Bonzo? We had a look around one of those in the showroom, a little small for our needs this time but a lovely looking car.
How did you get on with the CX-30 Bonzo? We had a look around one of those in the showroom, a little small for our needs this time but a lovely looking car.
HaroldBishop said:
How did you get on with the CX-30 Bonzo? We had a look around one of those in the showroom, a little small for our needs this time but a lovely looking car.
Had a good look at a CX30 myself the other day, my dad was considering one, was quite impressed and they’re really cheap to lease at the moment:
Lovely car. I’ve just taken ownership of a Mazda 3GT Sport Tech Skyactiv X in Polymetal.
I had a diesel Mini Clubman before so like you am getting used to using the gears again. Not too much of a chore as it has a a great shift quality.
Will have to look at the setting for the Lane assist warning!
I had a diesel Mini Clubman before so like you am getting used to using the gears again. Not too much of a chore as it has a a great shift quality.
Will have to look at the setting for the Lane assist warning!
Edited by Alfa Pete on Tuesday 7th September 10:43
Gareth1974 said:
HaroldBishop said:
How did you get on with the CX-30 Bonzo? We had a look around one of those in the showroom, a little small for our needs this time but a lovely looking car.
Had a good look at a CX30 myself the other day, my dad was considering one, was quite impressed and they’re really cheap to lease at the moment:Gassing Station | Readers' Cars | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff